In my post of Nov 14, 2010 entitled
Midwest Winter Cold and Heating Oil, I issued two long-range weather predictions.
The first one was for a cold front over the Midwest between February 12-13, 2011. The above Weather Channel map for Feb 12 shows the cold front penetrating the area.
The second forecast from the same post was for February 17-19, 2011 and expected a low pressure area over the Great Lakes and Midwest. The above weather map from the National Weather Service is for Feb. 18th. Here we see a deep low pressure system above the Great Lakes with its attendant front and winds sweeping into the Midwest.
In Michigan, for example, the National Weather Service reported frequent wind gusts of 45 mph and widespread lake effect snow flurries. In some more limited areas significant snow fell.
Long-range weather forecasting at times can be tricky. In my post of December 21, 2010, entitled
South Texas Wet Weather, I expected a wet weather pattern for the South Texas Plains region. No such weather materialized. It is from these forecast failures that the most important progress is made. As someone has rightly said, we learn more from 10 failures than we do from 10 successes.
The National Weather Service map above shows that on Feb. 17th there were high wind warnings and red flag warning for Feb 17th and 18th over southern and western Texas. Referring back to the First Quarter Moon map upon which I based the original forecast, I now notice that I did not realize that Mercury (the planet of gusty winds) was triggering the degree of the First Quarter Moon. I missed this important ingredient that would have led to a different forecast had I caught it--a lesson learned.
March 18-20,2011 Special Full MoonCyclone Yasi fulfills long-range prediction!Overview of UK Winter 2012-13The Winters of 2011-14Significant West Coast Storm February 20-23, 2011Midwest Winter Cold and Heating OilTropical Storm Matthew Fulfills Long-range Forecast!Hurricane Earl and T.D. 10E Fulfill Long-range Forecasts!Tropical Storm Alex Fulfills Long-range Prediction!Bonnie Fulfills Long-range Forecast!Introduction to the Weather AlternativeHow Long-Range Forecasts Are MadeScientists on God's DesignAs we survey all the evidence, the thought insistently arises that some supernatural agency—or, rather, Agency—must be involved. Is it possible that suddenly, without intending to, we have stumbled upon scientific proof of the existence of a Supreme Being? Was it God who stepped in and so providentially crafted the cosmos for our benefit?--
George Greenstein, astronomerWe are, by astronomical standards, a pampered, cosseted, cherished group of creatures. If the universe had not been made with the most exacting precision, we could never have come into existence. It is my view that these circumstances indicate the universe was created for man to live in.--
John O'Keefe, astronomer at NASAIt seems to me that when confronted with the marvels of life and the universe, one must ask why and not just how. The only possible answers are religious. I find a need for God in the universe and in my own life.--
Arthur L. Schawlow, Professor of Physics at Stanford University, 1981 Nobel Prize in physics
